Mine-railroad track



April 22, 1930. .1. STEINBERG MINE RAILROAD TRACK Original Filed Nov. 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN6 \hcobjtem 6 v A ORNEY A ril'zz, 1930.

J. STEINBERG MINE RAILROAD TRACK Or iginal Filed Nov. 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Ja.cob Stejnberg :5 A TORNEY Patented Apr. 22, 1930 PATENT OFFICE JACOB STEINIBERG, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK MINE-RAILROAD TRACK Application filedNovember 18,1927, Serial No. 234,083. Renewed September 18, 1929.

This invention relates to track construction. An object of the invention is to provide an improved track construction, particularly adapted for mines, in which-the several sections are separable in order thatthey maybe replaced or carriedfrom point to point.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tie construction for such tracks.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a signal means for indicating the presence of a car upon a sector of such track.

Another object is to provide an improved 7 platform to facilitate working in the region of such track.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention, I

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a track construction embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of a portion of the tie, used in the improved track construction. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4' of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of an end of a rail portion, adapted for use in conjunction with the tie shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the underside of said rail end. 7 j

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the bottom side of an intermediate portion of said rail.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 99 of Fig.8.

Figs. 10 and 11 are partial side views of the platform.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the track construction 10 comprises two parallel rails 12 made up in the manner hereafter described and removably secured to the cross ties 14, which, if desired, may lie upon the ground or preferably be supported on'the bases 16. Associated with the rail 12 is the signal means 18, which, by lighting the signal lamp 20, indicates the presence of a car at the point with which signal means 18 is as sociated. When desired, the detachable plat- I form 22 may be secured across rails 12, as, for instance, when considerable Water is found under foot. i

The rail 12 is made up in a novel manner and comprises the metallic channel 24, within the bend of which is riveted or in any suitable manner secured, the bar 26, said bar being substantially the width of the spacing of the flanges extending from said channel. At intervals along said rail, L-shaped pieces 28 are riveted to bar 26, so that the extending ends 30 are located adjacent each other and spaced a fixed distance from each other, for

a purpose hereinafter appearing. At the end 7 of the rail section the bar 26 is turned down to provide a leg 32, spaced from the end of the rail approximately the same distance as the extending ends 30 secured to bar 26 are separated, and spaced therefrom by a block 34 is a block 36 having a horizontal opening paralleling the longitudinal edge of the rail opening 38 formed in the portion 40, said portion being here'shown as extending beyond said longitudinal edge of rail 12. Leg 32 and blocks 34 and 36 are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of ends 30.

The tie 14 is made up of an inverted T-member 42 having the spaced blocks 44 positioned on each side of the leg 46 of the T-member. Said blocks are spaced from each other so that, with the end plates 48 secured in contact with said blocks, openings 50 will be defined.

Transverse openings 52, 54, are formed through T-member 42 in a suitable manner in order to receive therethrough conduits 56, which provide a hermetically closed passage for electric power conductors for the connections of means similar to signal means 18, and like power lines. The T-member 42, blocks 44, and plates 48 are held securely upon a base plate 58, provided with suitable openings 60, through which openings foundation bolts may be received in order to secure said tie to the bases 16.

Bases 16 are preferably used at the entrance to, and in heavily travelled sectors of mines, in order to provide a secure foundation for the track. Any suitable means may be provided for retaining the foundation bolts from turning when the base plates 58 are secured on said base. In this case, the bolts are formed with hexagonal end port-ions and embedded in the concrete. a

It will thus be seen that, after the ties have been spaced from each other a distance equal to the spacingof the L-shaped pieces 28 on rail 12, and have been secured to bases 16, the said rail may be slipped into connection with the ties by inserting the extending ends 30 into the openings 50, formed by blocks 44 and plates 48 with T-member 42.

.On each end of the rail section, the tie 14 has cut therethrough a threaded opening 62 adapted to receive a suitable fastening means to pass therethrough and engage in the horizontal opening 38 formed in block 36. In order to retain rail 12 removably secured with relation to ties 14, any suitable securing means, such as bolts 6%, may be received through threaded openings 66 formed in a block 44, and passing through said opening to irictionally engage the extending ends 30 of the L-shaped pieces 28.

In mining operations, where an employee may be working at the end of the track, loading the cars with coal, it is found necessary to provide some means for indicating to those shifting cars beyond theposition of the miner, that a car is positioned on said track section, and that someone is working in that out. In the present invention, the signal means is embodied in an automatic switch 68, adapted to be actuated by the wheel of the mine car so as to press two metallic pieces 70, 72 into contact, one of said pieces being connected by the conductor 74 to a power line, and the other being connected by conductor 76, car-.

ried in one of the conduits 56, with the signal lamp 20. The return from the lamp to the source of power may, if desired, be embodied in another distinct conductor housed in said conduit, or may employ the rail 12 as a ground. It will thus be seen that when a car is brought so that its wheel presses on the shoe, which is made a part of one metallic piece 70, the spring 80 yieldingly'secured thereto will permit the depression of said shoe so that the two pieces 70, 7 2 will contact and complete the circuit for the lamp 20.

In certain conditions of mining practice, considerable water forms under foot, and makes uncomfortable the working of the vein at that particular point. By means of the detach able platform 22, mnchof the hardship is avoided. This platform consists of a base portion 82, the bottom of which is secured to the clamps 8%. These clamps are formed of straps secured to the bottom of base portion 82, and having a hook end 86 formed at one end, and a depending flange 88 at the other end. The hook end 86 is provided with an inturned arm 90, spaced from the body of the clamp 84 a distance slightly greater than the height of rail 12. Hook end 86 and depending flange 88 are spaced from each other substantially the distance between the outside edges of rails 12, It will thus be seen that, by engaging hook end 86 with one side of rail 12, and then pressing the flanges 88 down around the other edge and engaging the side of rail 12 by any suitable bolting means such as 92, passing through the depending flange 88, said platform will be securely positioned. Hand guards 94 may be provided where the track is constructed to occupy a substantially elevated position. These hand guards assist also in making the platform portable. g

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions or" practical use. v

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above setforth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or showninthe accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A track section comprising cross-ties of inverted T-sha'pe having openings therein, channel shaped rails having spaced projectingportions, said projecting portions being adapted to engage on opposite sides of the vertical portion of one of said cross-ties, and means for clamping said railsto 'said'ties.

2. In combination, a cross-tie comprising an inverted Tanember, means mounted at one end of said tieto provide recesses opening upwardly, a rail having portions'projecting into said recesses and means extending into one of said recesses for clampingone of said projections tosaid cross-tie. I

3. In combination, a rail section-formed of a section of U-shaped cross-section, and positioning means for said rail received in the bightof said U, and extending beyond the side walls of said rail, and a cross-tie ha'ving a socket for receiving said positioning means. 7 j V 4. A track section comprising cross-ties, aligned openings formed through said ties, and water-tight conduits extending through said openings.

A rail section comprising a channel member, a bar secured within said member and spaced projections extending from said bar,

as and for the purpose described.

ios

6. A rail section comprising a channel member, a bar secured Within said member and having a turned down end portion, and a block portion secured to said bar and projecting beyond the side of said member, said block having means for receiving a clamping device.

7. A rail section comprising a channel memher, a bar secured Within said member and having a turned down end portion, and 'a block portion secured to said bar and projecting beyond the side of said member, said blockhaving means for receiving a clamping device, said turned down end portion being spaced from the end of said channel member.

8. A track section comprising a plurality of parallel cross-ties, each having a pair of spaced openings adjacent an end thereof, a rail having a pair of projections mediately the ends thereof, and single projections adj acent the ends thereof, said intermediate pair of projections being receivable in a pair of openings of an intermediate cross-tie, said end projections being receivable in adjacent openings of cross-ties located at the ends of 7 said rail.

9. A track section comprising a plurality of parallel cross-ties, each having a pair of spaced openings adjacent an end thereof, a rail having a pair of projections mediately the ends thereof, and single projections adj acent the ends thereof, said intermediate pair of projections being receivable in a pair of openings of an intermediate cross-tie, said end projections being receivable in adjacent openings of cross-ties located at the ends of said rail, and means for removably clamping said rails to said cross-ties.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JACOB STEINBERG. 

